Week 9

The roller coaster ride which is this missions experience continues to roll onward. Still, after 9 weeks of activity in this place, I find that when I sit down to write this reflection and summary of the week that there have been so many thoughts, interactions, events, and stories that I know I'm going to have to finally just give you a limited picture of what's happening here. Yet, two major events happened this last week that I thoroughly enjoyed, both of which - of course - pushed me into further thought about the calling God is placing upon my life.

The first happened the day that I posted the blog last week. That Tuesday I stayed back from the rest of the group with Hank, one of the other interns. After relaxing for most of the morning, we ran across a really amazing girl named Mary on our bus ride into the city. The summary of this story is that we found out Mary is from France, speaks with a British accent, is an agnostic (but in a unique place of searching in her thoughts on God), and she spent the rest of the day with our team of interns on our day off. A few of us had significant conversations on spirituality, the probability of God's existence and love, psychology, and a slew of other issues. She ended up being tons of fun, and I've heard there's a good chance that she may come and live with us in our Real World Intern house for a week or so.

It was through that day of conversation and interaction with Mary that I got - I think - a small picture of what ministry in postmodern, post-Christian Europe would look like. And I kind of liked it. I can't say that a small experience like that has pushed me to realize that I am fully called to being in a postmodern context ministering to people who believe in no spiritual reality. I do think, however, that that day of interaction with Mary, alongside of the rest of my reflections and experiences here, have pushed me to strongly believe that I would like to experience missions in another context before committing myself to any place or people or ministry in missions. Perhaps my soul and life are better fitted for Europe, or Africa, or Latin America for that matter.

The second event started on Friday and lasted through Sunday. I had the privilege of helping organize and lead the English Retreat this past weekend. We had some 50 or so people from different English classes at our church. And what a great weekend it was (that's where most of my pictures this week are from). We spent three days in a resort which hugged a river-filled valley in the middle of the Thai mountains. Our resort was spectacular, and the people and activities were incredibly fun. Toward the end of that weekend I realized that the entire experience had felt very much like camp. I was in the mountains (my summer last year was spent in the mountains at a camp), there was a team of teenage girls from the states that I often conversed with and sought to minister to, I led games in front of a big group, and we were in a closed community environment with a singularity of purpose. It felt like going home.

Just like the experience with Mary, I don't know what this fully means for my life or calling. But I did realize that there's something in me that understands and loves camp-style ministry. Maybe it's just the fact that I'm really still a kid, or maybe it's the fact that almost a sixth of my life over the last 6 years has been spent in a camp setting. So maybe it means something significant for my life, maybe it just means that the Lord was blessing me with a unique joy this weekend. I'm glad for it either way.

On a quick other note, almost all of the interns - including myself - have been struggling through the worth and direction of their ministry here on campus. We spend some amount of time everyday on campus, and yet we often wonder what our end goals are for being there. It feels often like no long-lasting conversations are even getting off the ground. But, we see that this experience is changing us primarily, and we're learning to humble ourselves before God, ultimately trusting that He will guide it all to its purpose.

And now, of course, a bit of the unique goings-on in the last week. On the ride to English camp I was in a van and somehow we found ourselves watching old concert videos; for nearly an hour and a half we made our way through Faith Hill, Savage Garden, Queen, Elton John, John Denver, Ricky martin, Shania Twain, and hoards of other random artists. Why? Not sure - but it was great. I sat with four other interns late at night, all of us with one earphone from our ipods in, each singing his/her respective song - what a concert of music. I had quiet time nearly 40 feet above a river, looking at mountains all around, I carried an autistic Thai child on my back across a swinging bridge, I got a Thai massage (not foot massage this time), I bought a book for a French girl, and I helped make a Papaya salad birthday cake. Good times, good friends.

Particularly after a conversation with some of the interns last night, I understand how little all of this is about our efforts, and how deeply it is about trusting God in His efforts - which always succeed. As always, this is a plea and exhortation to you to pray for us, and to pray for these unbelieving people. Here's where I see us needing that prayer:
-Me. As I continue to consider my calling, I need the Lord's hand to guide that thought process. Particularly in regards to immediately following this trip, my mind has been heavy with where I am to go.
-The Campus Ministry. We have a coffeehouse this Friday, our intern team is going on a retreat next Tuesday (maybe there won't be a blog post?), and the weekend following this one we have our campus retreat with all of the Thais. The interns also need prayer in their growth and service.
-Mary, our new friend. Particularly if she comes to stay with us, we want good for her, and for God to guide her to Himself in her spiritual journey.
-Along with her, all of our new friends, that we continue to make on campus and elsewhere.

Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible. (Ephesians 6.23-24)